Lead by Jesse Thurston and Juna Williams as their centre backs, David Grey scored a goal against Cranbrook and Jaden Dyck scored the other.

This year’s LVR team is made up of many Grade 10’s, and are doing well even though a higher ratio of younger players could place them on a bit of an uneven playing field when competing.

“They are holding their own against teams made up of more Grade 12 players,” said coach Simon Liddell. “We are young this year but still managed to rank second in the Kootenays. I think this is a testament to the quality of players coming up under the Whitecaps system.”

Invermere has the top ranking, Trail is ranked third, followed by Creston and Golden.

The Nelson team will have a chance to make the Provincials next week when they play in Trail at the zone play downs.

“It is basically a winner take all situation with the winner off to Burnaby for the provincials,” said Liddell.

The Trail tournament will be made up of four teams with Creston playing Golden some time this week for the final spot.

[Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that LVR won 3-0 against Cranbrook, when in fact they tied.]